Blog

Chicago – Over 2,000 Hispanic high school students representing 45 high schools in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon, and Nebraska have pre-registered to attend the launch of USHLI’s 2023 Student Leadership Series (SLS). The series will continue throughout the year nationwide.

The goal of the SLS is to motivate public school students to make education their personal priority, take responsibility, improve their academic performance, graduate and prepare themselves to meet the challenges that lie ahead, take advantage of the opportunities that await them and enjoy the benefits that an education will bring in their life and career.

The SLS launch will begin with a press conference at 8:45-9:15am, Thursday, February 16, in the Gold Coast room, lobby level, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. Present will be USHLI President Dr. Juan Andrade, launch speakers, and sponsors.

Three nationally prominent speakers will address the SLS Rally at 9:50-11am. They are Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder and CEO of the We Are All Human Foundation in New York, Mateo Magdaleno, CEO of IDQ (I Don’t Quit) in Dallas, and Melody Gonzales, executive director of White House Initiatives for Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics in Washington, DC.

Students will also attend workshops on how to finance their post-secondary education or training and meet with recruiters representing 61 colleges and universities. 

The SLS Chair is FedEx. Co-Chairs include the Coca-Cola Company, National Education Association, Rumba Meats, United Parcel Service, and Wells Fargo. Sponsors are Denny’s and the U.S. Department of Defense.

For more information contact David Cordova at davidcordova225@gmail.com or Dr. Juan Andrade at docandrade@ushli.org.

Richard Montañez, an executive responsible for Multicultural Sales & Community Activation, will headline the Corporate and Community Awards Dinner at 7:30pm, Friday, February 15, at the 31st USHLI National Conference. The Awards Dinner will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.

Richard Montañez started his PepsiCo career at Frito-Lay in 1976 as a janitor in its Rancho Cucamonga plant. He is recognized as the creator of the Flaming hot line of products including Flaming Hot Cheetos, which influenced future ethnic products and the first Frito-Lay Hispanic marketing team. In 1990 Richard helped write and launch the Continuous Improvement Initiative. He was instrumental in creating the first operation cost improvement team. In addition, Richard helped influence Hispanic products and marketing promotions for KFC and Taco Bell.

Richard Montañez is known for his visionary leadership and ability to develop new systems and products, and sits on numerous non-profit boards. In making the announcement, USHLI President Dr. Juan Andrade said, "Richard brought the house down last year so we just had to bring him back again this year, and we are very grateful that he accepted our invitation. Not only is Richard a successful and innovative executive, he is also a dynamic public speaker and very supportive of USHLI. I know he will motivate and inspire our participants, especially our youth."

Receiving awards at the dinner are Dolores Huerta, Dr. Jaime Regalado, Juan Cartagena, and David Diaz.

For more information about USHLI's national conference call 312.427.8683.

Join USHLI and HispanicPro for one of the most important nights of business networking in Chicago. Connect with top influential leaders in business, education, government & politics from the state of Illinois and across the country attending the United States Leadership Institute 31st National Conference. 

Thursday, February 14

5 pm – 8 pm

Enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, and entertainment. Admission $10. Proceeds will benefit the USHLI Scholarship Fund.